Electrical connector.



C. L. SHEPPY.

ELECTRICAL CGNNECTOR.

APPLICATION FILI-:D APII. 23. I9I3.

1,153,580. PaIenIedse-pt. 14, 1915.

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CHARLEsL. SHEPPY, OE lBUFFALO, NEW YORK, AssrGNOR To THE PIERCE-ARROW MOTOR CAR COMPANY, OE BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

y Patented Sept. 14, 1915.

Application led April 23, 1913. Serial No. 762.981.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that l, CHARLES L. SHEPPY, a citizen of the United States, residing at vBuffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Im rovement in Electrical Connectors, of

which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to detachable con- .'nectors for electricalconductors and has for Athe same from the weather; and furthermore to accomplish these results in a connector of compact form andneat appearance.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure `1 is a side elevation of a connector embodying the invention, and theportion of the automobile frame to which it is secured. Fig. is a plan thereof showing the frame in section. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section thereof. Fig. 4 is an end elevation, in ine'4-4, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 the plug member.

1s an elevationv of Flg. 6 1s a section on an lenlarged scale of the plug member.

Like reference characters refer to like parts in the several figures.

A represents a block of some suitable hard insulating material, such, for example, as vulcanite, which is securedby screws a or otherwise on the outside of a support B which may be one of the side bars of the chassis rframe of an automobile. This insulating block is preferably of about the size andshape shown in the drawings and is provided with a hole a extending lengthwise through the same from end to end in which the two contact members C and D of the connector are inclosed.

rIhe member C of the connector "consists of a metal socket or tubular piece which is permanently secured in the insulating block, preferably socket.

which an electrical conductor E is attached to the socket. This screw can be turned by a partly in section,

by molding the block around the The socket member is provided at one end with an axial binding-screw c by` 'screw driver inserted in the adjacent end of the-hole a in the insulating block. The other member of the connector consists of the plug D which has a split end of ordinary form adapted to be forced into the socket member C, and a coupling sleeve I by which the plug is attached to the end of a flexible insulated conductor F, which leads to the electric head light or lamp. The tendency of the parts of the split end ofthe plug to spring apart retains the' plug in the socket by friction and affords the necessary electrical Contact between the plug and socket in a well known manner. The outer end portion of the longitudinal bore or passage of the coupling sleeve (Z is of a diameter to receive and fit the bared end 'of the metallic wire or core of the conductor F, while the inner end thereof is enlarged or counterbored at d', as clearly shown in Fig. G, to receive and inclose the end of the insulating covering of the conductor. The outer end of the coupling sleeve is screw-threaded at (Z2 and adapted to be screwed tightly into a threaded hole in the inner end of the plug for securing the plug to the sleeve. Before screwing the plug on the coupling sleeve the end of the conductor F is inserted into the sleeve and secured therein by solder applied to the outer end of the sleeve and the bared eX- tremity of the conductor. The plug is not' intended to be unscrewed from the coupling sleeve, except for the purpose of attaching the sleeve to or detaching it from the conductor, and the plug is, therefore,.screwed tightly on the sleeve so as not to become accidentally unscrewed. This construction enables a very perfect, strong and neat connection between the .plug and the conductor. Since the insulating covering of the .conductor does not have to be stripped back to apply the solder between the same and the inner end of the coupling sleeve, as is usually done in securing the plug to the conductor, the end of the insulation can be inserted well into the counterbored end of the ,sleeve Where it will be protected and held intact by the sleeve. The insulation is not injured in soldering the sleeve on the conductor and no solder or bared portion of the conductor is exposed to view. The sleeve can, furthermore, be soldered to the conductorprapidly and with very little trouble.

als indicates a collar of hard insulating material, similar to thatemployed for the losV diameter as the collar da, thus enabling the end of a rubber conduit or tube g forA the conductor F to be shoved onto the boss over the joint between the same and the collar d3, so as to close the joint against theyentrance of Water.

easily connected to and disconnected from` A stopper or plug H, preferably of soft rubber, inserted into the socket end of the hole a in the block A prevents the entrance of Water at this point. The contact members C and D of the connector are thus completely and effectually inclosed and protected from the Weather. The stopper H can be readily removed when it is desired to reach the screw c for connecting or disconnecting the conductor E. The conductor E passes through a hole z' in the back of the insulatingblock A and preferably through a metal tube or conduit I which is secured in any convenient Way on the inside of the frame or support B and serves to retain the conductor in proper place and protect it.

When the end of the rubber tube g is pulled off of the boss g, the plug D can be readily inserted into and Withdrawn from the socket C, thus enabling the lamp to be the lighting system.

It Will be observed that the connector constructed as described is small and of neat appearance and yet it insures a reliable, strong and perfectly protected ,connection between the flexible conductor F and the stationary or permanent conductor E on the Cal'.

The connector is especially desirable for single Wire lighting systems for automoa stationary contact member of conductingl material secured in said longitudinal hole and provided With means adjacent to one end of said longitudinal hole for making a connection With said conductor, a plug of insulating material for closing said end of the longitudinal hole, a cooperating movable-contact member adapted to be inserted intov the other end of the longitudinal hole to engage said stationary contact member,

an insulating sleeve secured to said movable contact member, a boss on said block extending around said other end of the hole, and a cover tube engaging said boss and said sleeve to form a tight joint between said parts.

Witness my 1913.

hand, this 18th day of April,

CHARLES L. SHEPPY.

Witnesses: W. J. CREAMER, VViLLIAM H. LooKE. 

